one hundred and fifty new articles were inserted, and some of disproportionate length abridged. The whole was reduced to one alphabet, on which account it was called "A Dictionary;" and though the size of the book was reduced, the variety was much increased. This Edition reaching Mrs. Adams, the improvements so entirely met with her approbation, that she adopted nearly the whole of them in her fourth American Edition of 1817, together with the change of title, and liberally and "respectfully" acknowledged having so done. Mrs. A. however, declined printing the "Essay on Truth" prefixed, for which she gives the following reason: Having in the first Edition of my View of Religions prescribed rules to myself, from which I have not knowingly deviated in the subsequent Editions, I have avoided inserting any thing from Dr. Fuller* or Mr. Williams, which appeared to me an infringement of these rules." The rule to which Mrs. A. here principally refers is, "To avoid giving the least preference of one denomination above another." This rule, however, not having been adopted by the London Editors, they did not consider themselves bound by it; and could not reconcile themselves to the appearance of a total indifference, as to the truth or falsehood of what they considered, the most important doctrines of Divine revelation. They conceived that they conformed to the golden rule of doing as they would be done by,' while they avoided misrepresentations and reproachful terms. The present Editor has carefully followed the same course; and, in conformity with another of Mrs. A.'s maxims, has generally preferred, wherever practicable, to allow the different denominations to plead their own cause, while at the same time he has not always confined himself to one side of the question. The additions made by Mrs. A. in her fourth Edition, relate chiefly to the state of religion in America, and are generally adopted in this Edition, but make a small part only of the additions to this volume; the number of articles in the Dictionary being nearly doubled since the last Edition, now amount to between 900 and 1000; and the new matter on the other articles is very considerable. Not only is the page enlarged from a duodecimo to a full octavo, but the type being * Mr. Fuller had a diploma of D.D. from America, (I believe from two colleges) which he never adopted; but American writers always carefully apply the honours they bestow. of the more modern cast, (with a thin face) every page of this contains very nearly as much as two of the last Edition. In the Preface to that Edition, the Editor had ventured to remark as follows:-" On reading the black list of heretics, and examining my Author's authorities, I have been induced to strike out some, and moderate the censure upon others. For instance, the Paulicians, which, on the authority of Mosheim, Mrs. Adams had described as Manichæans, I have been led by the evidence adduced by Mr. Milner and some others, to consider as the genuine disciples of St. Paul, and the Cathari, or Puritans, of the antient Church. The Diggers, who were put down as heretics, on the authority of Broughton,* appear to me a poor and pious people, of whom the world was not worthy;' and who, by their merciless persecutors, were obliged to hide themselves in dens and caverns of the earth.' Even as to the more early heretics, though doubtless some of them were as ignorant and wild as the enthusiasts of modern times, (and we cannot say more) it is impossible to believe all the contradictory charges brought against them. But they helped to swell the Index Hæreticus; which was also much increased by the variety of names applied to the same people." Since the publication of my last Edition, I have met with the following remarks in a writer, unquestionably above all suspicion of abetting heresy. The great Dr. Owen says, "I am not sometimes without some suspicion, that many of the impure abominations, follies, and villanies, which are ascribed unto the primitive Heretics ; yea, the very Gnostics themselves (upon whom the filth that lies is beyond all possible belief) might be feigned and imposed as to a great part ་ * " Broughton, I would observe, is a weak writer and very credulous, at least on this subject. He was neither choice in selecting his authorities, nor careful in examining them. Hence his Dictionary of Religions,' though in two volumes folio, is of little credit or value." This Note, in the last Edition, on reconsideration, appears to me too indiscriminate and severe, which is in fact the fault of Mr. Broughton, as relates to the antient heretics. Inspired with an ardent zeal for orthodoxy, and against schism, he readily admitted every charge exhibited against them by the Fathers; who themselves, I am persuaded, often condemned them on mere report. This must be evident to any person who reads the minute, laborious, and candid examinations of Dr. Lardner-almost "the only ecclesiastical historian who can be trusted out of sight," as was observed to me by a late judicious and lamented friend. I must add, that though my connexions chiefly lie among persons (as well as myself) of opinions very different from the Doctor's, I never met with a charge against him of misrepresentation, nor did I ever find reason to suspect him; a circumstance that much enhances the value of the Doctor's works. one hundred and fifty new articles were inserted, and some of disproportionate length abridged. The whole was reduced to one alphabet, on which account it was called "A Dictionary;" and though the size of the book was reduced, the variety was much increased. This Edition reaching Mrs. Adams, the improvements so entirely met with her approbation, that she adopted nearly the whole of them in her fourth American Edition of 1817, together with the change of title, and liberally and "respectfully” acknowledged having so done. Mrs. A. however, declined printing the " Essay on Truth" prefixed, for which she gives the following reason: "Having in the first Edition of my View of Religions prescribed rules to myself, from which I have not knowingly deviated in the subsequent Editions, I have avoided inserting any thing from Dr. Fuller* or Mr. Williams, which appeared to me an infringement of these rules." The rule to which Mrs. A. here principally refers is, "To avoid giving the least preference of one denomination above another." This rule, however, not having been adopted by the London Editors, they did not consider themselves bound by it; and could not reconcile themselves to the appearance of a total indifference, as to the truth or falsehood of what they considered, the most important doctrines of Divine revelation. They conceived that they conformed to the golden rule of doing as they would be done by,' while they avoided misrepresentations and reproachful terms. The present Editor has carefully followed the same course; and, in conformity with another of Mrs. A.'s maxims, has generally preferred, wherever practicable, to allow the different denominations to plead their own cause, while at the same time he has not always confined himself to one side of the question. The additions made by Mrs. A. in her fourth Edition, relate chiefly to the state of religion in America, and are generally adopted in this Edition, but make a small part only of the additions to this volume; the number of articles in the Dictionary being nearly doubled since the last Edition, now amount to between 900 and 1000; and the new matter on the other articles is very considerable. Not only is the page enlarged from a duodecimo to a full octavo, but the type being * Mr. Fuller had a diploma of D.D. from America, (I believe from two colleges) which he never adopted; but American writers always carefully apply the honours they bestow. of the more modern cast, (with a thin face) every page of this contains very nearly as much as two of the last Edition. In the Preface to that Edition, the Editor had ventured to remark as follows:-" On reading the black list of heretics, and examining my Author's authorities, I have been induced to strike out some, and moderate the censure upon others. For instance, the Paulicians, which, on the authority of Mosheim, Mrs. Adams had described as Manichæans, I have been led by the evidence adduced by Mr. Milner and some others, to consider as the genuine disciples of St. Paul, and the Cathari, or Puritans, of the antient Church. The Diggers, who were put down as heretics, on the authority of Broughton,* appear to me a poor and pious people, of whom the world was not worthy;' and who, by their merciless persecutors, were obliged to hide themselves in dens and caverns of the earth.' Even as to the more early heretics, though doubtless some of them were as ignorant and wild as the enthusiasts of modern times, (and we cannot say more) it is impossible to believe all the contradictory charges brought against them. But they helped to swell the Index Hæreticus; which was also much increased by the variety of names applied to the same people." Since the publication of my last Edition, I have met with the following remarks in a writer, unquestionably above all suspicion of abetting heresy. The great Dr. Owen says, "I am not sometimes without some suspicion, that many of the impure abominations, follies, and villanies, which are ascribed unto the primitive Heretics ; yea, the very Gnostics themselves (upon whom the filth that lies is beyond all possible belief) might be feigned and imposed as to a great part "Broughton, I would observe, is a weak writer and very credulous, at least on this subject. He was neither choice in selecting his authorities, nor careful in examining them. Hence his Dictionary of Religions,' though in two volumes folio, is of little credit or value." This Note, in the last Edition, on reconsideration, appears to me too indiscriminate and severe, which is in fact the fault of Mr. Broughton, as relates to the antient heretics. Inspired with an ardent zeal for orthodoxy, and against schism, he readily admitted every charge exhibited against them by the Fathers; who themselves, I am persuaded, often condemned them on mere report. This must be evident to any person who reads the minute, laborious, and candid examinations of Dr. Lardner-almost "the only ecclesiastical historian who can be trusted out of sight," as was observed to me by a late judicious and lamented friend. I must add, that though my connexions chiefly lie among persons (as well as myself) of opinions very different from the Doctor's, I never met with a charge against him of misrepresentation, nor did I ever find reason to suspect him; a circumstance that much enhances the value of the Doctor's works. one hundred and fifty new articles were inserted, and some of disproportionate length abridged. The whole was reduced to one alphabet, on which account it was called "A Dictionary;" and though the size of the book was reduced, the variety was much increased. This Edition reaching Mrs. Adams, the improvements so entirely met with her approbation, that she adopted nearly the whole of them in her fourth American Edition of 1817, together with the change of title, and liberally and "respectfully" acknowledged having so done. Mrs. A. however, declined printing the "Essay on Truth" prefixed, for which she gives the following reason: Having in the first Edition of my View of Religions prescribed rules to myself, from which I have not knowingly deviated in the subsequent Editions, I have avoided inserting any thing from Dr. Fuller* or Mr. Williams, which appeared to me an infringement of these rules." The rule to which Mrs. A. here principally refers is, "To avoid giving the least preference of one denomination above another." This rule, however, not having been adopted by the London Editors, they did not consider themselves bound by it; and could not reconcile themselves to the appearance of a total indifference, as to the truth or falsehood of what they considered, the most important doctrines of Divine revelation. They conceived that they conformed to the golden rule of doing as they would be done by,' while they avoided misrepresentations and reproachful terms. The present Editor has carefully followed the same course; and, in conformity with another of Mrs. A.'s maxims, has generally preferred, wherever practicable, to allow the different denominations to plead their own cause, while at the same time he has not always confined himself to one side of the question. The additions made by Mrs. A. in her fourth Edition, relate chiefly to the state of religion in America, and are generally adopted in this Edition, but make a small part only of the additions to this volume; the number of articles in the Dictionary being nearly doubled since the last Edition, now amount to between 900 and 1000; and the new matter on the other articles is very considerable. Not only is the page enlarged from a duodecimo to a full octavo, but the type being * Mr. Fuller had a diploma of D.D. from America, (I believe from two colleges) which he never adopted; but American writers always carefully apply the honours they bestow. |